A spurt in device penetration, better network coverage and cuts in 3G tariff rates have spiked traffic on 3G networks across the country in the last seven months. A study titled Mbit Index released on Thursday by Finnish telecom equipment manufacturer Nokia Siemens Network (NSN) highlights that out of the 54% increase in mobile data traffic during this period, 3G usage jumped 78% outpacing a growth of 47% in 2G usage.
The report on mobile broadband growth in India has used the data collated from 290 subscribers who use networks powered by the Finnish telecom equipment maker. The report comes in the backdrop of telcos such as Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular reporting more than a 40% hike in their mobile data revenues for the quarter ended June.
However, while the report highlights a growing appetite for mobile data usage essentially driven by uptake of 3G services, it reconfirms that the 3G subscriber base continues to remain minuscule. ?Out of the total 30 million 3G subscribers reported in the industry, only about 15-20% use the network actively on a daily basis,? Kanika Atri, head of marketing and corporate affairs, NSN, told FE.
Interestingly, data consumption is led by category B circles where data usage has spiked by 87% since December. A first time 3G user consumes close to 400 MB of data every month compared with about 100 MB consumption over 2G. Also out of the total data consumed, web browsing contributes 81% of 2G data traffic while downloading constitutes only 17%.
The study also highlights that for 3G data usage to grow even further it is very important to educate the retail channel.